Influenza and Older Title page Adults COM 10927-2R
Overview of Today s Presentation Important Flu Information Everyone Needs to Know Risks for Older Adults The flu is a contagious illness that can be severe and life-threatening, especially for older adults 1 Our immune system weakens with age 2 The flu can make existing health problems worse 3 Recommendations from the CDC Annual vaccination is the single best way to prevent the flu 4 The CDC recommends flu vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older, with rare exception 5 Vaccine Options Older adults have flu vaccine options including the regular flu shot and a higher-dose vaccine developed specifically to address the age-related weakening of the immune system 6 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal Influenza: Flu Basics. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What You Should Know and Do this Flu Season If You Are 65 Years and Older. http:// www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/65over.htm. Accessed on March 26, 2015. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Who Should Get Vaccinated Against Influenza http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldvax.htm. Accessed on March 26, 2015. 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/ flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015.
What is Influenza? Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a common respiratory illness 1 Symptoms include: fever, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches 1 The flu is a contagious illness that can be severe and life-threatening, especially for older adults 2 Influenza and pneumonia combined are the seventh leading cause of death in older adults in the United States 3 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Influenza Symptoms:. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm. Accessed July 20, 2015. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal Influenza: Flu Basics. http://www.cdc.gov/ flu/about/disease/index.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 3. Heron M. Deaths: Leading Causes for 2010. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2013 Dec 20;62(6):1-96
How the Flu Spreads The flu can be easily passed from person to person 1 It can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing, or contact with an infected person or surface 1 The flu virus can spread to others up to 6 feet away 1 The flu virus can generally survive on surfaces between 2 and 8 hours 2 Influenza can be spread 1 day before and as many as 7 days (or longer) after symptoms begin 1 Flu vaccination season in the U.S. typically runs from August through May, however typically peaks in the January to March timeframe Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May FLU SEASON 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How Flu Spreads. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm. Accessed July 20, 2015. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preventing Seasonal Flu Illness. http:// www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/preventing.htm. Accessed August 3, 2015.
Flu Can Be Dangerous in Older Adults As we age, the immune system weakens, even if we feel healthy and are active 1 It is harder for the body to fight disease 2 Less antibody is produced in response to vaccination as compared to younger people 2 As a result, adults 65 years of age and older are more likely to catch the flu and experience complications 1 In fact, adults in this age group account for, on average: Between 1 50-60% of annual flu-related hospitalizations 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What You Should Know and Do this Flu Season If You Are 65 Years and Older. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/65over.htm. Accessed on March 26, 2015. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 90% of annual flurelated deaths
Flu Can Make Existing Health Problems Worse The flu can also make existing health problems worse and is especially dangerous for people with chronic health conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, which often affect older adults 1 Heart Disease 86% of adults 65+ have at least one chronic health condition 2 People with these conditions are more likely to develop complications from the flu that can result in hospitalization and even death 1 Diabetes 68% of Medicare beneficiaries have two or more chronic health conditions 3 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ about/disease/high_risk.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 2. CDC. Percent of U.S. Adults 55 and Over with Chronic Conditions. Percent of U.S. Adults 55 and Over with Chronic Conditions. www.cdc.gov/nchs/health_policy/adult_chronic_conditions.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 3. Lochner KA, Cox CS. Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions among Medicare Beneficiaries, United States, 2010. Prev Chronic Dis. 2013;10:120137.
Why We Need Annual Flu Vaccination According to the CDC, annual influenza vaccination is the single best way to help prevent the flu, with rare exception 1 It is estimated that during the 2013-2014 flu season, nearly 50,000 hospitalizations were averted due to vaccination in those 65 years of age and older 2 A new vaccine is made each year to protect against the strains that are expected to cause disease 3 For older adults, it s important to get vaccinated early in the season to help protect against any circulating influenza viruses 4 Older adults have flu vaccine options including the regular flu shot and a higher-dose vaccine developed specifically to address the age-related weakening of the immune system 5 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs. http://www.cdc.gov/ flu/protect/habits.htm. Accessed May 19, 2014. 2. CDC. Estimated Influenza Illnesses and Hospitalizations Averted by Influenza Vaccination United States, 2013-14 Influenza Season. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6349a2.htm. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Selecting the Viruses in the Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ professionals/vaccination/virusqa.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/65over.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/ keyfacts.htm. Accessed June 12, 2014. 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm. Accessed March 26, 2015.
Covered by Medicare Flu vaccination is a Medicare benefit with no copay Both options are widely available at a doctor s office or local pharmacy Take advantage of this Medicare benefit to help keep you healthy this season!
Insights from Americans 65+ on Flu & Prevention 1 Flu Hits Older Adults the Hardest, Yet Many Underestimate the Seriousness of the Flu 82% are not extremely confident in their knowledge of the age-related decline of the immune system as it relates to the flu Only 13% of seniors are extremely confident in their knowledge of flu complications This Is Especially True for Adults with Chronic Conditions, Yet Many Seniors Are Unaware of the Link Between the Flu and Chronic Conditions About one third of people 65 years of age and older are unaware that someone with chronic conditions like heart disease or diabetes would be at risk for complications from the flu Many Older Adults Get Vaccinated Against the Flu Every Year and Follow Their Health Care Professionals Recommendations 71% of older adults reported getting an annual flu shot to help maintain their health 62% got a flu shot in the past because their physician recommended it 41% selected the type of flu shot recommended by their physician However, Many Seniors Are Unaware of Their Flu Vaccine Options 65% think most flu shots are appropriate for all age groups 57% are unaware that there is a flu shot specifically for their age group Further Education and Resources Are Needed When It Comes to the Flu Only 8% of survey respondents are concerned about getting the flu despite seniors high hospitalization rates, highlighting the need for further education about the seriousness of the flu 2 1. Kelton Global. National Council on Aging Survey in Collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur. 2. CDC. Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView. Published April 24, 2015. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm. Accessed April 28, 2015
Where Can I Learn More? Visit www.ncoa.org/flu and Talk to your health care provider about flu prevention and your vaccine options!
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